Dan Windham

One of Harrogate’s large Victorian hotels and a popular town centre bistro have been told to make ‘major improvements’ by the Food Standards Agency.

Both the Cairn Hotel on Ripon Road and Le Jardin on Montpellier Parade were given one-star food hygiene ratings by the agency following separate inspections in April.

The 135-bedroom Cairn Hotel, which currently has a 3 AA Stars hotel rating, was reprimanded for a number of issues including kitchen staff not washing their hands.

Inspectors also found that customers were at risk as temperature checks on high risk food had not been undertaken as well as being kept for too long.

The hotel’s kitchen required a ‘deep clean’ whilst no Food Safety Management system was fully in place or being implemented properly.

Gaynor Wilson, general manager of the hotel said: “We immediately had a meeting with the EHO regarding our score and have requested a revisit as we have rectified and repaired the structural issues which they brought to our attention. A visit is due imminently.”

Le Jardin Cafe & Bistro, overlooking Montpellier Gardens, says on its website that it ‘offers a good variety of freshly prepared food served promptly’.

During the restaurant’s inspection, officers found that a food delivery had been taken in which had not been checked by staff.

The inspector wrote in the report: “At the time of inspection, a delivery was taken in which in my opinion at least part of which should have been rejected.

“This was due to the fact that the container of foods included raw meat as well as ready-to-eat foods.

“As there had been no separation, the ready-to-eat food was at risk of being cross contaminated. It was also noted that the container was dirty.”

The restaurant was also criticised for their chiller units being in a ‘state of disrepair’ with the kitchen ‘in its entirety’ found to be in a poor state of repair and requiring renovation.

Owner of the restaurant Nicholas Shaw revealed that they had now taken the decision to replace the previous chef.